We shared a Tsukune set (my personal favourites - the one topped with radish which was so refreshing, and the one topped with okonomiyaki like toppings). We also ordered the minced chicken don, which was served in a hot stone pot, cabbage omelette, chicken karaage and cheese, mentai hotate or as my friend says, scallops done the mac and cheese way. We also shared some cold soba, grilled Saba and finished our evening with some hot miso. This place is not for intimate or serious conversations. Reminiscent of a Japanese izakaya, you'd find lots of Japanese diners here winding down for the evening after a hard day's work.
When I looked back at the Burpple Guides for the Best 15 Isakayas in 2016, Tsukune Ichigo stood out for me as it seemed to be the most value for money place for Izakaya-style dining.
When I reached this place, what stood between me and the restaurant is a wooden door that separates the "reclusive" place from the outside world. It's not fully packed on a weekday night, but still relatively packed with Japanese office workers and some expatriates.
I enjoyed reading the menu because they were individually handwritten (nice handwriting!), but I took a while to really decide on what I wanted to eat. Other than the Tsukune Set (S$14.00 for 5 sticks), one of the skewers that I would recommend is this Kawa Shio Yakitori (S$6.00 for 2 sticks). Even though it is just chicken skin, the portion of the chicken skin was really big. Most part of it was also flame grilled to a certain degree of crisp, while still not turning dry. It's a perfect item to accompany your alcoholic beverages, beer or liquor alike.
Apart from a Japanese wooden signboard hanging above, no other signs indicate that this is a restaurant, let alone an izakaya. But beyond those large, sliding wooden doors lies a haven for both Japanese and locals to wind down with a cold beer after a long day. Located on the same stretch as Spize at River Valley, Tsukune Ichigo specialises in grilled chicken skewers. First timers should order the Tsukune Set ($14), meatball skewers done five different ways. We especially love the ones slathered in sweet and savoury tare sauce, followed by the moreish okonomiyaki sauce (it tastes like the real deal!) and the ponzu sauce. There is a minimum order of two skewers per flavour for individual skewers. You won't go wrong with the flavourful Negishio ($6 for two) — skewered chicken lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, grilled then topped generously with a garnish of chopped leek, onions and sesame oil.
Avg price: $30 per person with drinks
Photo by Burppler Muriel A
A meal here is incomplete without trying their chicken 'meatballs' (they look more like koftas though).
If it's your first time, go for this 'sampler' platter that allows you to try a variety (instead of getting the minimum of 2 sticks per flavour) to see which you and your dining companions like more.
Unfortunately, you can't pick the five skewers, but here's what you get:
1. Tare (original sauce)
2. Okonomiyaki (with okonomiyaki sauce + mayo + bonito flakes)
3. Ponzu (with grated radish + soy sauce & vinegar)
4. Kosho (black pepper)
5. Ume Shiso (sour plum and shiso leaf)
Out of the five, my favourites were the sweet and savoury Tare glaze, moreish Okonomiyaki (exactly how you'd imagine it to be) and tangy Ponzu! 👍🏼 A pool of juice forms at the base of the plate, which just goes to show how juicy these moreish nibbles are! 😋💦
